The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said that the generator (Unit 1) one of the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai resumed operations from Friday (26), which remained inoperative since last week.
The generator, which was initially expected to be restored by Monday (August 29), has added 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid after recommencing functions.
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said a breakdown in Unit 1 of the Norochcholai Power Plant on August 15 while the national grid lost 300 megawatts of electricity as a result.
The Norochcholai Coal power plant comprises three generators, and each generates 300 MW with an output of 900 MW to the national grid.
Another generator (Unit 2) of the Norochcholai Coal Plant has been already shut down for essential maintenance service and is expected to be reinstated it as soon as possible. After that, the national grid will have an another 300 MW, the CEB officials said.
The duration of daily power interruptions was also extended to three hours owing to the malfunctions of the generators while at present the hydropower generation is 50 percent, CEB officials said.
Minister of Power and Energy said that the tender was awarded to the lowest bid received for the procurement of coal for the Norochcholai Coal Plant based on the procurement process on Thursday (25).
“The supplier agreed to provide a six months credit facility from the date of supply of each shipment,” Minister Wijesekara said.